Dogs and Cycling
Sept 3, 2016 12:37:04 GMT
Post by Hofmeister on Sept 3, 2016 12:37:04 GMT
I need to work on Fifi's stamina. I use a ball and chuckit to keep her fit currently. She has plenty of body strength and muscle definition, great explosive power but stamina is lacking.
I have had one of these
k9pro.com.au/springer-bike/
in the shed for years, never unpacked, never used or fitted. Soooooooooooo yesterday afternoon, I got the bike out (first time this year) serviced it, and fitted the springer. Not difficult or tricky to do, put fifis tracking harness on, attached her to the bike and off we went. Now don't get me wrong, it works, and it works ok. She wasnt keen on it but tolerated it and for most people it will be ok. But its cumbersome and limiting having the dog attached so closely to the bike.
But, WTF, I had a thought, I am a dog trainer, I have a trained dog, and I have the most perfect training route, along a canal tow path with no need to hit a road. So with longer lead in pocket, springer device left behind, dog has harness on just in case, off we set and I called her after me. Within about 500 metres we had worked out a partnership superbly. She mostly ran ahead, if she dropped behind to investigate something, I slowed a little and she ran to catch up. She was able to leap into the canal to cool off, and then catch up. We encountered other cyclists and walkers, and all were negotiated with the minimum of fuss.
I put the tracker on the phone, and we did 6km at an average speed of 14km an hour. She was panting a little, but not as bad as explosive ball chasing. Now dont laugh you hardened bikers at our 6km effort, this was a starting point for her to see what pace we can achieve and for how long. The speed is about right, practical, safe. easily achievable, but i think we can wind start to wind the distance up, specially in cooler weather. I'll stick a go pro on the bike and upload a vid of her working.
I have had one of these
k9pro.com.au/springer-bike/
in the shed for years, never unpacked, never used or fitted. Soooooooooooo yesterday afternoon, I got the bike out (first time this year) serviced it, and fitted the springer. Not difficult or tricky to do, put fifis tracking harness on, attached her to the bike and off we went. Now don't get me wrong, it works, and it works ok. She wasnt keen on it but tolerated it and for most people it will be ok. But its cumbersome and limiting having the dog attached so closely to the bike.
But, WTF, I had a thought, I am a dog trainer, I have a trained dog, and I have the most perfect training route, along a canal tow path with no need to hit a road. So with longer lead in pocket, springer device left behind, dog has harness on just in case, off we set and I called her after me. Within about 500 metres we had worked out a partnership superbly. She mostly ran ahead, if she dropped behind to investigate something, I slowed a little and she ran to catch up. She was able to leap into the canal to cool off, and then catch up. We encountered other cyclists and walkers, and all were negotiated with the minimum of fuss.
I put the tracker on the phone, and we did 6km at an average speed of 14km an hour. She was panting a little, but not as bad as explosive ball chasing. Now dont laugh you hardened bikers at our 6km effort, this was a starting point for her to see what pace we can achieve and for how long. The speed is about right, practical, safe. easily achievable, but i think we can wind start to wind the distance up, specially in cooler weather. I'll stick a go pro on the bike and upload a vid of her working.
